Reaction to the introduction of the iPad mini yesterday was decidedly mixed. On the one hand, many Apple faithful praised the launch of the new tablet, which is half the weight of the third and fourth generation iPads, and can be palmed with one hand. On the other hand, many complained that it was simply a shrunken down iPad 2 with the same lackluster screen resolution. It also didn't help that many people felt that the 16GB iPad mini was overpriced at $329.

With all the criticism of the iPad mini's pricing and specs, Apple' Phil Schiller has come to the rescue to defend Apple's newest tablet entry.

"The iPad is far and away the most successful product in its category. The most affordable product we've made so far was $399 and people were choosing that over those devices," said Schiller in an interview with Reuters.

"And now you can get a device that's even more affordable at $329 in this great new form, and I think a lot of customers are going to be very excited about that.”

Schiller believes that the $130 price premium over some competing tablets is worth it, and that the iPad mini will sell on its merits alone, not needing to compete on price. Apple points to the fact that the iPad mini is lighter, thinner, and has better built quality than the plastic-clad competition. And of course, Apple also points to 275,000 tablet-specific apps for the iPad platform versus a plethora of "stretched phone apps" for Android devices.

What's amazing is these so called apple haters, come on here WANTING to like their products. They must want to of course. How else can you explain disappointment from their expectations. For you to say even compare them to your almighty N7, means you were within the realm of consideration. If it's not for you, move on. You're just another one of those who put too much weight on specs. I'm not saying specs don't matter, they absolutely do to a huge extent, but it is not the only thing on the table to consider in a product that needs to be well rounded by many regards. No one is trying to sell you an apple product, so why come on here and baiting for someone to convince you of it. You can see it as feeding trolls or you can see it as just pointless...

Specs DO matter!! I look at specs when I buy electronics. I want certain features. If the device has them and the price is good, I'm all in. I'm not buying a house where emotions play a heavy role, I'm buying electronics. LOL! The device MUST meet my specifications or I'm NOT interested. Simple stuff dude! How did I bait? I said specifically why I'm NOT interested. No baiting needed. Also, I'm a hater because I decide I don't like something because it doesn't meet my expectations? I suppose using your logic, you're a hater too because you don't like the N7, Nook or anything else not Apple. And calling me a troll? As much as I post here now I'm a troll. Maybe I should change my name to HaterTroll.

You're all over the place. I said specs matter, what I said was that there are other sides to a device that is meant to cover a lot of bases. I can easily see this selling on the merit of the app store alone. I don't hate the N7, I'm actually looking to pick one up. You're sensationalizing your decision which I don't think anyone here cares about. Like I said, if it's not for you move on, it's one thing to simply comment stating that, but another to get into a useless argument about.